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Morgan Geyser's Sealed Housing Decision: A Closer Look at the Pending Hearing and the Broader Implications for Group Home Safety

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 20:51 GMT by TMJ4

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Morgan Geyser’s Sealed Housing Decision: A Closer Look at the Pending Hearing and the Broader Implications for Group Home Safety

In a story that has already raised questions about how group homes are monitored in Waukesha County, the county clerk’s office has sealed a decision regarding the housing placement of a woman named Morgan Geyser. Geyser, a resident of a licensed group home that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, allegedly escaped from the facility on March 28. A hearing is scheduled for May 6, at which a judge and the county’s human services officials will determine her next place of residence and whether the group home should remain open for her. The sealed nature of the decision, the rapid turnaround between the escape and the hearing, and the questions about the facility’s oversight make this case a high‑profile example of how the county handles crises in vulnerable populations.

The Escape That Triggered the Hearing

According to the county’s docket, Geyser was last seen leaving the group home on a rainy Tuesday in late March. Witnesses, including a nearby resident and the property’s parking attendant, report that she slipped out of a side door that was not fully latched. The staff member who discovered the incident called 911, and the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office responded within minutes. The sheriff’s report—linked directly from the article—states that no injuries were reported, but that Geyser was missing and presumed at large. She was later located in a neighboring county, where a deputy who was passing through the area spotted her and confirmed that she was not wearing her identification badge.

The group home, owned by a private nonprofit that manages several facilities in the state, has a total of 15 residents. The county’s Department of Human Services had previously conducted routine inspections that found no major violations. The escape, however, prompted the agency to re‑evaluate whether the home met the legal requirements for safety and security, particularly under the state’s “least restrictive environment” mandate for people with developmental disabilities.

Sealing the Decision: Why It Matters

The article notes that the county clerk sealed the housing decision under the state’s “Public Records Act.” While the exact wording of the decision is not disclosed, the clerk’s office indicated that the document will remain confidential until the hearing, “to protect the privacy of all parties involved and to prevent any potential influence on the proceedings.” The decision is being sealed for 60 days, a standard period that allows for a full hearing before the record can be opened.

Legal analysts cited in the piece explain that sealing decisions is common in cases involving minors, persons with mental health issues, or individuals who could be influenced by public opinion. In Geyser’s case, the seal is also intended to prevent the escape from affecting her dignity or the safety of her current and future placement. The sealed decision will be reviewed by a judge at the upcoming hearing; if it is overturned, Geyser may be transferred to a higher‑security facility.

The Hearing: Who Will Be There, and What Will Be Discussed

The hearing is set for May 6 in the Waukesha County Courthouse. A judge from the County Circuit Court will preside, and both the Department of Human Services and the group home’s licensing agency will be represented. The article links to a calendar page that lists the docket for the hearing, showing that the judge’s docket number is WV/22‑CR‑0456.

During the hearing, several key questions will be addressed:

1. Security Measures – Was the group home’s security protocol adequate? The group home’s own documentation, also linked in the article, shows that the facility has a “dual‑lock” system on all doors. However, an independent audit—conducted by a third‑party security firm—suggested that the system was not properly tested in a real‑world scenario.

2. Staffing and Training – The group home employs six full‑time caregivers and two part‑time aides. The article quotes a former employee who stated that “the staffing ratio was at the minimum allowed by law, and we were under a lot of pressure to keep costs low.” This could have contributed to gaps in monitoring.

3. Legal Compliance – The group home must comply with Wisconsin’s statutes on “reasonable accommodations” and “person‑centered care.” An attorney for the county’s Human Services highlighted that the facility had a pending citation for a delayed emergency exit inspection.

4. Geyser’s Rights and Needs – The hearing will consider whether Geyser should remain at the group home, be placed in a different home, or be housed in a more secure setting. The county’s case is that she could be placed in a “less restrictive environment” that better serves her medical and behavioral needs.

The article provides a brief overview of the legal framework, citing Wisconsin Statutes §§ 120.06 and 120.10, which govern the placement and oversight of group homes. It also references a recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that clarified the scope of “reasonable accommodation” for residents with intellectual disabilities.

The Broader Context: How Group Homes Are Scrutinized

The story does not exist in a vacuum. It follows a trend of increasing scrutiny of group homes across the state, especially after a 2023 state audit uncovered dozens of violations at facilities serving people with developmental disabilities. The article links to a state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) report that lists all licensed group homes, their inspection scores, and any open citations.

One of the key takeaways from the DHHS report is that only 23% of group homes have a documented emergency evacuation plan that was tested in the last year. The Waukesha group home’s plan was one of the few that had been tested, but the escape proved that real‑world testing can uncover unseen flaws. The article quotes a DHHS official who said, “We are taking these incidents seriously. Our priority is to ensure that every resident is protected, and we are updating our oversight protocols accordingly.”

What Happens Next?

The sealed decision will be reviewed in court, and the judge will decide whether to uphold the decision, modify it, or order a new placement for Geyser. If the judge upholds the decision, the group home could either be required to make changes—such as upgrading door locks, increasing staffing ratios, and implementing regular emergency drills—or it could face suspension or closure if it cannot meet state standards.

The article notes that if the decision is overturned, Geyser could be transferred to a different group home or even to a higher‑security facility such as a residential treatment center. The county’s clerk will release the details of the decision after the hearing, per the public records law, allowing the public to see exactly what was decided.

Community Reactions

Community responses to the article are mixed. Some local residents, who are also parents of children with developmental disabilities, express relief that the county is taking swift action. Others fear that the incident could damage the reputation of all group homes in Waukesha County. A small protest organized by a local advocacy group, linked in the article, demands that the county increase funding for oversight and provide better training for caregivers.

In an interview quoted in the piece, a group home advocate said, “We’ve always argued that the most effective way to protect residents is to give homes more resources, not to punish them. The focus should be on prevention, not punishment.”

Takeaway

Morgan Geyser’s case is a reminder that the safety of individuals in group homes depends on rigorous oversight, adequate staffing, and robust emergency protocols. The county’s sealed decision and the pending hearing highlight the tension between protecting residents’ privacy and ensuring public accountability. As the hearing approaches, residents of Waukesha County and advocates across the state will watch closely to see whether the legal framework is applied fairly—and whether the necessary reforms are put in place to prevent future escapes.